Council marks the completion of the Cromer Phase Two Coastal Management Scheme

Date published: 6th February 2025

Today North Norfolk District Council marked the completion of the works that will help to protect Cromer and its coastal infrastructure into the future with a celebration event at The Pavilion on Cromer Pier.

The scheme started in April 2024 and was implemented alongside a similar scheme in Mundesley, which saw major civil engineering works to reinforce the existing sea defences in both locations, protecting over 600 homes and properties from coastal erosion and storm impacts.

In Cromer, the scheme involved concreting works to the sea wall to the west and east promenade, improvement to beach access ramps and the creation of rock reinforcements to the west of the pier. This will extend the life of the existing defences, helping protect the town from the ravages of the North Sea and the uncertainties of climate change.

The imported rock provides ‘armour’ to the concrete sea wall. it consists of 35,000 tonnes of granite that was brought onto the beach by barge and carefully moved into place by excavators and dumpers in a specifically designed formation with much of it being buried well below the beach level. It was necessary for the rock to be delivered outside the winter storm period and therefore the works took place in the busiest time of year for Cromer seafront – which was challenging but necessary.

The effectiveness of the design of the rock revetment has already been demonstrated in storms last autumn and winter, where it could be seen to disperse the wave energy and reduce the impact on the sea wall, evidenced by reduced overtopping onto the promenade.

Today’s event was attended by staff from the Council, representatives from Balfour Beatty (the principle contractor) and other subcontractors who delivered the scheme, together with owners of local business who cooperated with the Council to ensure that the scheme could go ahead throughout the busy summer months. The Council is enormously grateful to residents, businesses, visitors and beach users who put up with the inconvenience during the implementation of these works, which allowed the project to complete on schedule.

The Mundesley Coastal Management Scheme is expected to be completed by the summer 2025, with concreting works still taking place over the winter and spring.

Cllr Harry Blathwayt, portfolio holder for Coast, said:

"The Cromer Scheme has been a fantastic project. We set out to deliver protection and peace of mind to Cromer businesses and residents. Cromer seafront is one of Norfolk's biggest tourism assets and the jewel in the crown of the North Norfolk coast. Many were worried at the start how the summer works would affect the tourist season, but so many have come to watch and enjoy such a memorable feat of civil engineering. Much of the engineering here goes back to the Edwardian era, and the North Sea can be very aggressive. It takes its toll on the concrete structures and during stormy weather and rising seas, the over topping flints or waves crashing on the promenade were dangerous.

"Fortunately, 35,000 tonnes of Scottish granite now absorb so much of that violent wave pressure. Protecting the promenade and seafront is essential. I'm glad this project has delivered coastal protection for many years."

Including Phase 1 of the Cromer works (completed in 2015), the two schemes (Cromer and Mundesley Schemes) will have received approximately £25m of funding from the Environment Agency, with North Norfolk District Council and Mundesley Parish Council also contributing towards the Mundesley Scheme.

Find out more about the Cromer Coastal Management Scheme here - www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/cromer-scheme